Some people struggle to get into exercise, while others are naturally drawn to it. Regardless of which group you fall into, exercise can be fun for everyone. Today, I’ll share four inspiring stories of individuals who have a newfound passion for life since connecting with exercise.
- Stephanie Laska: Small Steps, Big Benefits
44-year-old mother Stephanie began her journey at 300 LBS. In her late thirties, she realized she needed to make a change. Like many of us, Stephanie is a busy mom, overwhelmed by the prospect of a strict workout schedule. Instead, she decided to make simple diet changes and go for a daily walk. Day after day, she set off for her walk. Over time her short walks became long walks, her long walks turned to her first-mile run, and after her first-mile run, she began training for a marathon. Four years later Stephanie has run multiple marathons and is the fittest she has ever been. Stephanie says “Exercise for me is not about running a marathon, it’s about those daily decisions to just go outside”.
- Mike Ergo: Something New to Fight for Every Day
Mike Ergo is a retired Marine Corps soldier who survived a tour in Iraq. Upon his return, Mike was grappling with the fact that he got to live while so many of his peers weren’t as fortunate. Mike turned to drinking to cope with his PTSD. With the help of his wife, Mike decided to go cold turkey on the drinking and focus his attention on CrossFit training. He continued to focus on exercise, finding joy in his training which eventually led him to complete numerous Ironmans. Mike dedicates his success to his new mindset: gratitude and acceptance. He constantly reminds himself how fortunate he is to be able to exercise and challenge his body. Mike says, exercise for him is “about making peace with discomfort, and that translates into everyday life”.